In a welcome modification, the Supreme Court has said that playing the national anthem in movieplexes is not compulsory. “People do not need to stand up at a cinema hall to be perceived as patriotic... cannot be assumed that if a person does not stand up for national anthem, then he is less patriotic,” the court said. The update comes a day after the Centre filed an affidavit suggesting the SC to reconstruct the order.
The Centre said that a committee had been set up to decide under what circumstances and on which occasions the national anthem can be played. The Narendra Modi-led government said that it will give recommendations on the issue within six months of the date of constitution of the committee, after taking into considerations various issues and discussions. In 2016, the SC had said that the national anthem had to be compulsorily played in movie theatres for “the love of the motherland” and it had mandated that people would need to show respect.
“Universalism is alright but still Bharat is the epitome of culture, knowledge... Gyaan and Vigyaan... people should feel that they live in a nation and show respect to the national anthem and the national flag,” it had said. As for the government committee, it has been reported that representatives of several portfolios like law, defence, home, external affairs, culture, women and child development, I&B, parliamentary affairs, minorities, education and disability will participate.
